CANBERRA, Australia — Australia has granted humanitarian protection to seven members of Iran’s women’s football delegation, with two additional individuals receiving asylum just hours before their teammates departed for Tehran. The developments occurred amid emotional protests and safety concerns for the athletes returning to a nation in conflict.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed Wednesday that a player and a staff member were granted protection after seeking asylum prior to the team’s airport transfer. They have since reunited with five teammates who received humanitarian visas the previous day.
The departure from Sydney late Tuesday local time unfolded amidst tense demonstrations at both the team hotel and airport, where Iranian-Australian protesters attempted to prevent the women’s return, citing grave concerns about their safety in Iran.
Minister Burke detailed the carefully orchestrated asylum process, explaining that each team member was individually interviewed by Australian officials with interpreter assistance at the border checkpoint, without minders present. During these private sessions, athletes were offered asylum and provided opportunity to consult family members in Iran before making their final decisions.
“They were given a choice,” Burke emphasized. “In that situation what we made sure of was that there was no rushing, there was no pressure.”
Those granted protection received temporary humanitarian visas with pathways to permanent residency. Burke noted that some delegation members were ineligible for asylum due to connections with Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
The team had originally arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month, prior to the outbreak of conflict in Iran on February 28. Their elimination from the tournament over the weekend coincided with increasing concerns about returning to a nation under bombardment.
The Iranian squad gained significant attention in Australia when players initially declined to sing the national anthem during their first match, though they later participated in anthem ceremonies during subsequent games. Iranian community groups in Australia had urged government intervention to prevent the team’s return.
Burke defended Australia’s approach, stating: “Australia’s objective here was not to force people to make a particular decision. We’re not that sort of nation.” The minister acknowledged that local police would review footage appearing to show one athlete being escorted by teammates to the team bus.
Despite the departure of most team members, those remaining in Australia have received warm welcomes, with Brisbane’s premier football club inviting the asylum-seeking players to train with their organization.